Just war theory

• Although most people see peace as being ideal, many do recognise that sometimes a war will have to be fought. Just war theory is a philosophical theory that explains the conditions that must be met for a war to be classed as necessary.
• Rules for war:

  • No killing or harming civilians or innocent people.
  • No bombing or destruction of hospitals, schools, fire stations of police stations.
  • No prisoners of war.
  • No targeting minority groups.
  • Availability of food and drink sources at all times.
  • No conventional weapons
  • No use of animals.
• Just war theory:

  • Last resort - must try other things first like negotiation.
  • Good intention - need a good reason like self defense and not greed.
  • Just cause - promote food and leave the world to be a better place.
  • Legitimate authority- someone with authority has to declare a war.
  • Protect the innocent - can’t target civilians or innocent people.
  • Proportionality - use appropriate weapons in essential ways.
• Christian views on just war.

  • Although war goes against the teachings of Jesus, most Christian denominations accept that there can be such thing as ’just war’ and they would agree with the conditions of the just was theory.
  • Some people believe that sometimes war is the only way to find peace.
  • Christians are strongly against the killing involved in terrorism.
• Islam views on just war.

  • In Islam, just war is known as military jihad.
  • Jihad means ‘struggle’.
  • There are two types of jihad: lesser and greater jihad. Lesser jihad is the struggle to improve the world and war is an example of it but it must be fought as a last resort.
  • The Quran teaches that people can fight in some cases. ”Allah will punish them by your hands and will disgrace them and give you victory over them.”
• Islam - Holy war

  • The part of jihad involving military action is known as Harb al - maqadis (holy war). It’s considered to be a war justified by god to protect Muslims and their religion.
  • Some believe the Quran says that war is acceptable to defend Islam “those who believe fight in the case of Allah.“
  • Militaty jihad has very strict rules - the conditions for just war.